New parents
Postnatal and parent-and-baby classes across Philadelphia.
4 studios · 5 facilitators
Practice coverage updated Oct 31, from connected schedules for the next two weeks. Schedules refresh separately.
Coming up
Today 1 class
Tuesday 3 November 1 class
Thursday 5 November 1 class
Saturday 7 November 1 class
Sunday 8 November 1 class
Studios
Facilitators
New parents in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a steady selection of postnatal and parent-and-baby classes, taught across several neighborhoods. Most sessions are for people who are pregnant or recently gave birth, and many focus on breath, gentle strength and reconnecting with the body. The classes are small, usually around an hour long, and the choice runs from reformer Pilates to yoga and barre.
Where to start: Lumos Yoga & Barre - Green Street in Spring Garden, Midsection Connection in Spring Garden or Birdies Barre and Fitness Studio in East Kensington
It suits you if
- you are pregnant and want prenatal movement
- you want a morning practice near home
- you would like to bring your baby along
At a glance
Read more about New parents in PhiladelphiaWhat the classes cover, Where to find them
What the classes cover
The practices here lean toward yoga, Pilates and barre, with a few classes built around breathwork and connection. Prenatal and postpartum classes make up nearly all of what is offered, and most of them meet in the morning. Many include a parent-and-baby option, so a new parent can practice with the baby nearby rather than arranging childcare.
The classes are usually about an hour, with a few running a little longer. The rhythm of the week gives most people a chance to find a time that fits, with the late morning starts and the early evening class both drawing a steady group.
Where to find them
Spring Garden is where most of the classes gather, at Lumos Yoga & Barre on Green Street and Midsection Connection. Spruce Hill has Studio 34 Yoga Healing Arts, and East Kensington has Birdies Barre and Fitness Studio. Each studio has its own feel, so it helps to read a class description before booking.
RaGina McKissick, Patricia Dominguez, Emma Scott and Kat Jedziniak are among the facilitators who lead the most classes here. Mothers and parents who want to start can look for a class labeled prenatal or postpartum, or a parent-and-baby session if the baby is coming along.
New parents: questions and answers
Who are these classes for?
Most of the classes here are for people in pregnancy or the months after birth, and nearly all of them are marked that way. A handful of classes are built for parents with a baby along, so the baby can be held, worn or crawl around during the practice.
Can I practice during pregnancy?
Yes. Prenatal and postpartum yoga, Pilates and barre classes run across the city, and several of them ask people to come as early as their second or third trimester. Classes are taught with pregnancy in mind, so bring any questions for the facilitator before the first class.
Can I bring my baby to class?
Yes, parent-and-baby classes exist here. BYOB(aby) | Mom + Me Barre Class at Birdies Barre and Fitness Studio is a relaxed 45 minute class where crawlers and walkers are welcome, and babies can be worn, held or kept on the mat. Other classes are shared with babies in the room, so check the class description before you book.
When do most people practice?
Most classes start in the morning, and more than half run before noon. Saturday, Sunday and Thursday are the busiest days, and the evening classes tend to begin around 6:30pm. Many people practice at the late morning starts, around 10am to 11am.
Where do these classes take place?
Spring Garden has the most classes, with studios like Lumos Yoga & Barre on Green Street and Midsection Connection. East Kensington and Spruce Hill also have a good number of classes, at Birdies Barre and Fitness Studio and Studio 34 Yoga Healing Arts.
What kinds of classes are there?
Expect prenatal and postpartum yoga, Pilates on the reformer, barre and a few breathwork and gentle classes. Lumos Yoga & Barre offers Mama's LIIT, a 60 minute class for every stage from early pregnancy through the fourth trimester and beyond, and Prenatal & Postpartum Flow, which focuses on breath and supportive alignment.